Background of The Invention
[0001] Lighting elements based on the chemiluminescent emission generated by the mixing
of two liquids are already known.
[0002] The principle and the techniques for the production of chemiluminescent light are
fully described in U.S. Patent 4,678,608 which is incorporated in the present description
as a reference.
[0003] The chemiluminescence is produced by reaction in the liquid phase of an activator
such as hydrogen peroxide with a fluorescent agent and an oxalate. Other secondary
compounds may also be present, generally fluorescent agents modifying the characteristics
of the emitted light.
[0004] In addition to the very widespread chemiluminescent lighting elements that include
one of the liquids in a glass tube capable of breaking and of thus expanding its contents
into a chamber already equipped with the second liquid, there have more recently been
put on the market chemiluminescent lighting elements with two distinct chambers, each
made of a translucent synthetic material. These elements have the advantage of avoiding
the use of glass.
[0005] Among these, there is one that consists of placing the liquids in a tube of transparent
synthetic material in which a disk is placed transversely, separating the said tube
into two chambers or compartments, each containing one of the liquids. Mixing takes
place when there is caused, from the outside or the article, the rotation of the disk,
which then lies flat and lets the liquids pass.
[0006] In general, the disk is given a diameter slightly greater than the internal diameter
of the tube so that the wall of the tube, deformed elastically at right angles with
the disk, exerts a centripetal pressure along the whole edge of the edge of the disk,
thus ensuring tightness.
[0007] It has been found, surprisingly, that under certain conditions, it is sufficient
to increase the pressure in one of the two chambers with respect to that prevailing
in the other chamber, to cause rotation of the disk. In principle, if the centripetal
pressure ensured by the elastic extension of the tube wall in the region in which
it grips the disk is applied in a uniform and isotopic manner, the increase in pressure
in one chamber as compared with the other will only have the effect of causing a displacement
of the disk parallel to itself, not its rotation.
[0008] Without wishing to be bound to specific explanations, it is known that a goodly number
of synthetic materials capable of constituting the tube wall actually do not show
a perfect elastic behavior and therefore show a certain degree of plasticity. If,
consequently, during installation of the disk in its transverse position, forces are
exerted on the inner walls of the tube, at the point where the disk is supported,
that are not uniformly distributed over the circumference, the edge of the disk may
be driven more strongly into the wall at certain points than at others, and at least
part of these differential indentations will remain permanently as a result of the
plasticity. If a uniform hydraulic pressure is later exerted on one of the faces of
the disk, it will not be displaced parallel to itself. The disk is actually driven
further into the wall at certain points, which will show greater opposition to displacement,
thus creating a torque causing rotation of the disk.
[0009] In another known embodiment, the adjacent chambers are separated by a plug, which
is in contact on one side with the fluid present in the first chamber and on the other
side with the fluid present in the second chamber. This plug yields when the pressure
in the first of the two chambers appreciably exceeds that in the other chamber. This
result can be obtained by making the first chamber more deformable than the other.
When the whole of the element is immersed to a certain depth in water, it receives
the required hydrostatic pressure. The use of this type of element, is of course,
appreciated when one is looking for automatic lighting at a certain depth of immersion
in the sea. Lighting outside water is also possible by manual compression of the deformable
chamber.
Summary of the Invention
[0010] The invention relates to a chemiluminescent lighting element consisting of at least
two chambers of translucent synthetic material, each containing at least one chemical
product capable of participating in a chemiluminescence reaction. The two chambers
are separated by a disk, a plug, or a membrane capable of yielding, moving, or rotating
under the action of an increase in pressure in one of the chambers, which permits
the mixing of the two chemiluminescent components and the production of light. One
of the two chambers has walls of a nature and/or a geometry such that the exertion
of a pressure external to the object leads more easily to a decrease in the volume
of said chamber than in that of the other chamber.
[0011] Preferably, said chambers are formed by the fitting together of three bowls that
are separated by a partition wall crossed by a removable tightness plug, said plug
being capable of yielding and moving under the action of a push exerted from the outside
of the article on a flexible outer wall of one of the two chambers. The geometry of
the flexible wall is conceived in such a way that, if it receives a uniformly distributed
pressure, induced by a fluid in which the lighting element could be immersed, it will
transmit the greater part of the force caused by this pressure to the plug, which
is moved, thus permitting the mixing of the two liquids and the emission of chemiluminescent
light.
The Drawings
[0012]
Figure 1 represents a longitudinal, vertical section of a tubular element according
to the invention.
Figure 2 represents a vertical section along AA of the element of Figure 1.
Figure 3 represents a longitudinal, vertical section of a tubular element according
to another embodiment.
Figure 4 represents a longitudinal, vertical section of a tubular element according
to a third embodiment.
Figures 5 & 6 represent a vertical section of two versions of the chemiluminescent
elements according to the invention.
Description of the Invention Including Preferred Embodiments
[0013] The present invention provides the means so that, in a lighting element as described
above, it will be easy to obtain a higher internal pressure in one chamber than in
the other and so that this result will occur automatically when the lighting element
is immersed, for example, into the sea.
[0014] It is actually of considerable economic interest to have available fishing lures
that will light up automatically starting at a certain depth of immersion, after having
been attached to the line in the unlit state before the actual fishing operation.
[0015] For classical lighting outside water, the present invention also makes it possible
for the user to increase, by a very simple action, the internal pressure of one of
the two chambers and thus to light the chemiluminescent element.
[0016] The present invention applies not only to the case of a tubular element separated
into two compartments by the presence of a transverse disk, it relates to all elements
containing two chambers separated by a tightness means capable of being released under
the action of a pressure difference between the to chambers.
[0017] The article according to the invention therefore comprises two chambers of translucent
synthetic material, which may be of various shapes. The two chambers may be joined
by a tubular zone in which there is located a tightness means which, when the internal
pressure prevailing in the first chamber exceeds that of the other chamber by certain
threshold value, can move or rotate and thereby take on a position permitting the
passage of liquid from one chamber to the other.
[0018] The tightness means may be a disk that rotates or a membrane that breaks. It may
also involve a plug which, in the passive position, is in continuous peripheral contact
with the inner wall of the tubular zone in which the geometry of the walls gripping
it has become different and no longer provides the tightness contact.
[0019] To make it easier for a higher internal pressure to be present in the first chamber
as compared with the other, it is provided that the volume of the first chamber can
be more easily reduced than that of the second, under the effect of a pressure external
to the article.
[0020] In most cases, this external pressure will be the hydrostatic pressure of water in
which the article is immersed. The same effect may, however, be obtained outside water
by a more or less local pressure exerted by the user, for example, by manual means.
[0021] To make it possible for the volume of the first chamber to be more easily reduced
under the action of an external pressure, there is provided walls, which are designed
both with respect to either their geometry, by giving them folds or embossing, or
in their thickness, or in their nature itself, by executing the first chamber with
more elastic walls than the second.
[0022] By modifying the above-mentioned characteristic, the articles can light up at pressures
predetermined over a broad range of values. Thus, the article may enter into an active
state starting at an excess pressure of 1 kg/cm
2, which corresponds to a depth of approximately 10 meters. By adapting the relative
rigidities of the two chambers, the depth of lighting can be controlled up to values
greater than 100 meters.
[0023] The embodiment that comprises providing a chamber with folded or embossed walls,
while the other chamber - all things being equal as far as the thickness and material
are concerned - has only smooth walls is particularly economical. It actually makes
it possible to execute the whole element by classical conventional molding.
[0024] The plug suitable for the chemiluminescent element according to the inventions may
be a disk located transversely in the tubular zone and intended to rotate.
[0025] The plug may also have the form of a body of revolution of any desired generating
line, with preference for an arc of a circle. In the passive position, this plug is
completely in contact, over its circumference, with the inner wall of the tubular
zone between the two chambers, with said wall being capable of exerting a centripetal
pressure on the plug by elasticity in the assembly or not exerting such a pressure.
Once it has been displaced along its axis by the pressure difference between the liquids
of the two chambers, it is displaced into a broader zone, where it loses contact with
the walls.
[0026] The plug - which can be made of any material whatever, as long as it has highly polished
surface of revolution - as preferably given the shape of a keg, because this shape
is capable of ready movement during the application of pressure.
[0027] The above-mentioned plug shows certain advantages over the disk. Thus, it can be
made as small as desired, whereas the disk becomes difficult to rotate below a certain
diameter. This makes it possible to provide for a small opening of communication that
is also completely calibratable, which is an advantage. In fact, for certain applications,
particularly for fishing, it is worth while for one of the two liquids, coming from
the chamber at the higher pressure, to be incorporated into the other chamber gradually,
because this contributes to a certain standardization of the rate of light emission
with time. The desired rate can be controlled by acting on the calibration of the
opening unblocked by the release of the plug and also by acting on the viscosity of
the liquid.
[0028] According to a preferred manufacturing process for the chemiluminescent a element
according to the invention, during construction of the article by molding starting
with a thermoplastic synthetic material, the plug is first placed in the mold and
the material to be molded is injected in the fused state into the mold, so as to be
overmolded on the plug. This process, actually called "overmolding", is well known
in the technology of thermoplastic materials. An excellent contact will be obtained
between the molded synthetic material and the plug on the molecular level, because
the fused material has "wetted" the peripheral surface of revolution of the plug.
This results in better tightness between the two chambers and therefore in a high
storage stability. The above-mentioned wetting can also be improved by the preliminary
application of an appropriate "primer" to the plug. Of course, the surface of revolution
of the plug should be polished and its material must not be susceptible to alteration
by heat during the overmolding.
[0029] Another advantage of the article according to the invention shows up during storage
of the article in its passive state before use. During this storage, which may last
for months or even years, one of the liquid components has a tendency to release gas
spontaneously and thus to cause a slight increase in its internal pressure. This can
have an unfavorable effect on the tightness between the two chambers even if the threshold
of pressure difference leading to release of this plug is not reached. Care must therefore
be taken to place this liquid into the chamber whose volume or walls are the more
expandable of the two.
[0030] The present invention also includes in a second embodiment, a chemiluminescent element
which offers, as compared with the techniques of the prior art the following advantages:
- It is more economical to manufacture.
- It prevents any untimely lighting during handling, even rough handling, of the element
before its use.
- During immersed use in, for example, the ocean, it gives rise to a lighting operating
at a more predictable movement and is therefore more reliable as far as the reproducibility
is concerned.
- It permits a better use of the force set in action to make the closing element yield,
in such a way that this force can be greater and, through this fact, the plug can
be kept in a more tightly gripping and therefore tighter state.
[0031] The article comprises of two adjacent chambers of translucent synthetic material,
i.e. separated by a partition wall, itself made of synthetic material, preferably
also translucent, with each of the chambers containing one of the reagents whose mixing
must produce the chemiluminescent emission. The partition wall includes a closing
element capable of yielding or moving under the action of an external force. The partition
wall, is, for example, crossed by a short tubular pipe whose axis is perpendicular
to it and in which is found a tightness element or plug with the shape of a body of
revolution with an axis concentric with the pipe, which plug is therefore in contact
with the contents of the first chamber on one side and with the contents of the second
chamber on the other side. One of the outer walls of the one of the chambers is flexible
and, when it receives pressure from the outside, it is transmitted to a rigid element
in contact with the plug, which thus causes it to be released from the tubular pipe.
[0032] Furthermore, the closing element may be a membrane that is cemented, welded, or an
integral part of the partition wall. This membrane is capable of being pierced or
torn by the above-mentioned rigid element, which will assume a more or less sharp
form.
[0033] The more deformable chamber takes on the appearance of a cylinder and the flexible
wall is a bottom of this, therefore having the shape of an approximately flat circular
disk and the rigid element is a small integral cylinder or truncated cone joined or
attached to the center of this circular wall and with cross-section much smaller than
the surface of the said wall. When it receives hydrostatic pressure, the induced force
exerts an action that is concentrated essentially at the center of the wall and is
thus taken up by the rigid element and transmitted to the plug. The latter thus receives
a large part of the hydrostatic pressure multiplied by the surface of the wall and
not only the hydrostatic pressure multiplied by the projected surface of the plug.
[0034] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plug has the shape of a
spherical ball with a polished surface. The nature of the material of the plug is
not determining, provided that it is chemically compatible with the chemiluminescent
liquids. Steel balls, which are particularly cheap articles, can be used advantageously.
[0035] The tubular pipe in which there is located the plug, for example, the ball may be
of short length. It is necessary, however, that it provide a clamping zone on the
circumference of the plug. This pipe can measure 1 to 3 mm in length. In an extreme
case, the length of the tubular pipe could be limited to the thickness of the partition
wall itself, with this pipe then comprising a simple circular hole in the partition.
[0036] To ensure good tightness, it is necessary that there be intimate contact between
the plug and the tubular pipe, which can be obtained in several ways.
[0037] This result can be obtained, for example, by forcibly engaging the plug in the tubular
pipe, which has been previously molded - by classical injection molding methods -
to a diameter smaller than that of the plug. The insertion of the plug will therefore
cause an elastic dilation of the tubular pipe, with pronounced clamping of its material
on the plug; possibly with concomitant use of ultrasonic vibration in such a way that
the forced insertion of the plug into the pipe causes a slight local fusion around
the plug.
[0038] An intimate contact can also be obtained by placing, at the time of the injection
molding, the plug into the mold and overmolding the synthetic material around the
said plug, in such a way that this material, in the fused state, "wets" the plug and
ensures a contact close to that of a gluing. If this is necessary, the plug may be
provided with an adhesion primer; when the ball shape is adapted, the placement of
a layer of primer on the balls is a particularly economical operation, using a mixing
barrel.
[0039] It is preferred in that the force necessary to release the plug be as high as possible
because, for obvious reasons, the expected tightness is indirectly related to its
value. However, this force should not be greater than that which the user's hand is
capable of providing or, in the case of immersion, greater than that resulting from
the hydrostatic pressure on the flexible outer surface of the article. In this latter
case, it is advisable, for this purpose, to optimize the variables constituting the
geometry of the flexible wall: its surface, its thickness, etc. It must also have
as extended a surface as possible, to collect more of the pressure, and its geometry
must be such that the largest part of the force is transmitted at the point where
the rigid element of transmission to the plug has been placed, generally in the center
of the wall in question.
[0040] By adapting in an appropriate manner all of the geometric variables, not only those
that have just been enumerated, but also the diameter of the ball, that of the tubular
pipe - with this element inducing the degree of clamping - and, possibly, the length
of the pipe, one will succeed in adjusting the depth of lighting to any desired value
between 10 and 100 meters of sea water.
[0041] To protect the flexible wall from accidentally provided pressure that could occur
during handling, preliminary to the use of the object, it is advantageous to provide
a flange surrounding this flexible wall over its whole circumference, a flange whose
outline is directed toward the outside of the object.
[0042] In order that a maximum amount of pressure be applied to the plug and to it only,
it is also advantageous to provide a means that will prevent any deflection or deformation
of the partition wall, whose ball is integral up to the moment at which an intervention
is made to extract it. A preferential embodiment of such a means consists in providing
behind the partition wall a series of transverse ribs, on the edge of which the partition
wall rests, and which blocks any movement therefore in the direction of the pressure
applied.
[0043] An economical method of production of the element according to the invention consists
of inserting into each other three cylindrical bowls of approximately identical diameter,
but with different depths. The first bowl, which is the deepest, will form the first
chamber, and the second, of intermediate depth and driven into the first until their
two edges are flush, will constitute the second chamber while its bottom will play
the role of the partition wall between the chambers, the bottom being equipped with
a plug. The third bowl, also inserted until its edge is flush with the two preceding
edges, constitutes the lid of the assembly.
[0044] The bowl structure of this lid provides the protective flange mentioned above. The
bottom of this third bowl constitutes the wall endowed with a certain flexibility,
such as is provided by the present invention. After the operation of filling each
chamber with a liquid to be reacted and insertion of the three bowls together, they
are then welded along their common upper circumference. The advantage of this embodiment
lies in the fact that the three bowls are economical moldings and, above all, that
the assembly is limited to a single welding.
[0045] The invention will be better understood with reference to the attached drawings,
illustrating a representative and nonlimiting embodiment that will be commented on
below.
[0046] Figure 1 shows a tubular element of the invention consisting of a chamber 1 and a
chamber 2, containing, respectively, a peroxide solution and a fluorescent agent.
A disk 3 is wedged transversely into the tubular part, with the edge of the disk being
in continuous contact with the interior of the tube wall, which is locally deformed
and shows an annular blistering. The chamber 2 is closed by welding at end 4. Chamber
2 contains longitudinal folds 5, which can also be seen in Figure 2, in a cross-section
along the line AA of Figure 1.
[0047] Figure 3 illustrates a tubular element also containing two chambers 11 and 12, one
of which has an "accordion" structure with vertical folds 15. A keg-shaped plug 13
separates the two chambers and is surrounded by the walls in the application of an
overmolding operation during manufacture of the element.
[0048] Figure 4 illustrates a tubular element similar to that of Figure 1, with the disk,
however, being replaced by a membrane capable of breaking and the end 4 being closed
by a process of direct welding of the flat walls.
[0049] In Figures 5 and 6, the lighting element consists of three bowls 101, 102, and 103,
injection- molded from translucent low-density polyethylene. These bowls are inserted
into each other and are welded together in a tight manner along their common edge
at 104.
[0050] The bottom 105 of the central bowl forms a petition wall between two chambers 106
and 107, which each contain a liquid capable of emitting chemiluminescence after mixing.
Their respective levels are indicated schematically at 108 and 109.
[0051] The partition wall is provided with a ball 100 which is fitted into it, with strong
clamping by the presence of a small tubular pipe 110 (Figure 5) at the top half of
the ball 100, which can also be omitted (Figure 6) if the thickness of the partition
wall is itself sufficient to ensure fitting of the ball. Tubular pipe 110 can also
be extended to encase one or both sides of the lower half of ball 100, not shown.
[0052] The outer surface 120 is sufficiently flexible so that, under the action of a pressure
applied to the element 130 located at its center, in the direction of the arrow 140,
a slight movement of element 130 results, which element 130 is rigid by its geometry.
This slight movement pushes the ball out of its housing, and the ball then falls into
the chamber 107.
[0053] The pressure can be either that of the user's hand or that resulting from the hydrostatic
pressure of the fluid into which the element is immersed with a particularly advantageous
specific case being that of automatic lighting by the hydrostatic pressure of sea
water. This hydrostatic pressure tends to deform the surface 120, in positive contact
with the ball, which yields. On the other hand, the opposite surface 150, which also
receives the hydrostatic push and also tends to yield, is less deformable and/or is
too far from the ball to impart pressure to it. At most, it can transmit the hydrostatic
pressure to the fluid of the chamber 107, resulting in the application to the ball
of an opposing force with a maximum value equal to the said hydrostatic pressure multiplied
by the projected surface of the ball i.e., much smaller than the pressure applied
to the ball, by the action of the surface 120.
[0054] It is advantageous, although not essential, to give the side walls 160 and also the
surface 150, a greater thickness as compared to the thickness of the surface 120.
In this way, possible untimely deformations are reduced.
[0055] The upper bowl 101, which serves as a lid, has a depth 170 sufficient for its central
element 130 to be protected against shocks and untimely pressure during handling preceding
the use of the element.
[0056] This protection is further emphasized by the presence of the flange 180, which can
be conceived in the geometry of the whole, or can be obtained very simply as a result
of the welding operation itself.
[0057] The net diameter of access to the interior of the bowl 101 can be limited to that
of the diameter of the user's finger, in the case of manual use of the element, and
even smaller, in the case of use in automatic maritime lighting.
[0058] Reference 190 illustrates a particular embodiment in which there are provided transverse
ribs of small thickness, for example, in the number of six arranged at 120°. These
have the role of preventing the partition wall from bending under the action of the
pressure which action is thus reserved for the ball itself.
[0059] Reference 200 shows an optional suspension ring, which has been molded with the bowl
103.
[0060] It is apparent that the arrangement according to the invention can be applied to
uses other than the production of chemiluminescent light. The chemical compounds contained
in the two compartments can have various useful applications and, in particular, are
capable of producing heat, cold, or a glue for immediate use at the time of their
mixing.
[0061] The articles according to the invention can contain more than two chambers, some
of which may or may not contain identical components.
[0062] The articles according to the invention can also include a protective structure surrounding
them and preventing accidental lighting during handling. This may involve, for example,
an element of netting or a translucent, rigid, plastic envelope or partial envelope
containing openings in such a way that the hydrostatic pressure on the chambers is
not affected by the said protection. This protective structure may or may not be integral
with the chemiluminescent element.
[0063] It us understood that numerous other variations can also be envisioned without going
beyond the scope of the present invention.
1. A chemiluminescent lighting element comprising of two chambers of translucent synthetic
material, each containing at least one chemical product capable of participating in
a chemiluminescence reaction, separated by a moveable tightness means capable of yielding,
moving or rotating under the action of an increase in pressure in one of the two chambers,
which permits mixing of the two chemiluminescent components and the production of
light resulting therefrom, with one of the two chambers having walls of a nature and/or
a geometry such that the exertion of an external pressure on the object leads more
easily to a reduction in the volume of the said chamber than in that of the other
chamber.
2. An element according to Claim 1 in which the shape of the compressible chamber
is approximately that of a tubular element of revolution, whose generating line is
a broken line, with the whole of this compressible chamber having approximately the
shape of an accordion whose bellows fold easily under the action of external pressure
exerted along the axis of revolution.
3. An element according to Claim 1 in which the shape of the compressible chamber
is approximately that of a prism with a star-shaped cross-section, constant or not
constant as a function of the length of the prism axis, said chamber being capable
of having its volume reduced under the action of external pressure whose resultants
are centripetal.
4. An element according to Claim 1 in which the removable tightness means is a plug
consisting of an essentially circular flat disk located in a tubular pipe connecting
the two chambers, perpendicular to the axis of said pipe, and whose edge is in continuous
contact with the wall of this tube, with the diameter of the disk and the tightness
of the wall being selected such that this disk can rotate when the pressure prevailing
in the chamber with folded walls is sufficiently higher than that prevailing in the
other chamber.
5. Chemiluminescent lighting element comprising at least two chambers, each containing
at least one chemical product capable of participating in a chemiluminescence reaction,
separated by a tightness means capable of yielding, moving or rotating under the action
of a change in pressure of the medium in which said element is located, which permits
the mixing of the two chemiluminescent components and the production of light resulting
therefrom.
6. A chemiluminescent lighting element according to Claim 5 wherein the two chambers
are made at least in part of a translucent synthetic material and each contain at
least one chemical product capable of participating in a chemiluminescence reaction,
said chambers being separated by a partition wall containing a closing element capable
of yielding and/or moving under the action of pressure exerted from the outside of
the article on a flexible outer wall of one of the two chambers, with the geometry
of this flexible wall being such that when it receives a uniformly distributed pressure,
induced by a fluid into which the lighting element is immersed, it transmits the force
caused by this pressure to the closing element either directly or via a rigid internal
element in contact with the plug.
7. A chemiluminescent lighting element according to Claim 6 characterized by the fact
that the closing element comprises of a removable tightness plug crossing the partition
wall in which the tightness plug is located in a short tubular pipe with an axis perpendicular
to the wall separating the chambers and is itself a body of revolution whose axis
coincides with that of the said pipe.
8. A method for the manufacture of an element according to Claim 6 characterized by
the fact that the thermoplastic material constituting the tubular pipe is deposited
around the plug by an operation of overmolding by injection, carried out at the same
time as the molding of the wall separating the two chambers.
9. A method for the manufacture of an element according to Claim 8, characterized
by the fact that the tubular pipe is molded at the same time as the wall separating
the two chambers and without the presence of the plug, with the bore of the pipe being
smaller than the diameter of the plug, with the latter then being introduced into
this pipe by force, with or without the use of ultrasonic vibrations.
10. A method for the manufacture of an element according to Claim 8, characterized
by the fact that the two chambers result from the fitting together of at least two
bowls of different depths, whose upper circumferences are flush and are welded.